Optically reconfigurable light integrator in display systems using spatial light modulators

Abstract

An illumination system for illuminating spatial light modulators of display systems is provided. The illumination comprises a light integrator that comprises at least a movable wall through which the aspect ratio at the exit aperture of the integrator can be adjusted. Alternatively, the illumination system may comprises two juxtaposed light integrators, one of which can be a regular light integrator in prior art, while the other one can be an integrator having at least one movable wall for enabling the adjustment of the aspect ratio at the exit aperture of the integrator. During the operation, one of the juxtaposed integrator is used for collecting and delivering light from the light source according the aspect ratio of the desired image.

1 . A light integrator for use in a display system employing a spatial light modulator, comprising: a plurality of reflective surfaces, one of which is movable between at least two positions that are not parallel to each other.  
     
     
         2 . The integrator of  claim 1 , wherein one of the plurality of reflective surface is operable to rotate along an axis that is between an entrance and exit aperture of the light integrator.  
     
     
         3 . The integrator of  claim 1 , wherein an edge of said one reflective surface is attached to an end of a non-movable surface.  
     
     
         4 . The integrator of  claim 3 , wherein said one reflective surface is operable to rotate along an axis within the reflective surface and passing through the attachment point.  
     
     
         5 . The integrator of clam  1 , wherein the plurality of reflective surfaces form a tunnel in which a light beam propagates.  
     
     
         6 . The integrator of  claim 1 , wherein another one of the plurality of reflective surfaces is pivotable.  
     
     
         7 . The integrator of  claim 6 , wherein said another movable reflective surface is positioned symmetrically to said one movable surface around the center of the integrator.  
     
     
         8 . The integrator of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of reflective surfaces form a rectangular cylinder.  
     
     
         9 . The integrator of  claim 8 , wherein two of the reflective surfaces are movable and are positioned opposite to each other.  
     
     
         10 . The integrator of  claim 9 , wherein the two opposite and movable reflective surfaces are on the top and bottom of the rectangular cylinder.  
     
     
         11 . The integrator of  claim 8 , wherein the rectangular cylinder has an entrance and exit aperture, wherein the entrance and the exit aperture have different aspect ratios.  
     
     
         12 . The integrator of  claim 11 , wherein the entrance has an aspect ratio of about 4:3.  
     
     
         13 . The integrator of  claim 1 , wherein the entrance has an aspect ratio of about 16:9.  
     
     
         14 . The integrator of  claim 11 , wherein the exit aperture has an aspect ratio of about 4:3.  
     
     
         15 . The integrator of  claim 11 , wherein the exit aperture has an aspect ratio of about 16:9.  
     
     
         16 . The integrator of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of surfaces comprises a first set of non-movable reflective surfaces and a second set of surfaces at least one of which is movable, wherein the first set of reflective surfaces form a first rectangular cylinder, and second set of reflective surfaces form a second rectangular cylinder that is in connection with the first cylinder.  
     
     
         17 . The integrator of  claim 16 , wherein the movable surface has a pivoting axis at a joint of the first and second cylinder.  
     
     
         18 . The integrator of  claim 16 , wherein the surfaces of the first set are surfaces of a set of plates that do not deform around a surface temperature of an arc lamp in operation in a display system employing a spatial light modulator.  
     
     
         19 . The integrator of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of reflective surfaces comprises a set of reflective surfaces of a light splitter that is disposed within the rectangular cylinder.  
     
     
         20 . The integrator of  claim 1 , wherein the movable surface is operable to displace in parallel.  
     
     
         21 . A light integrator for use in a display system employing a spatial light modulator, comprising: a pair of non-movable walls and a pair of pivotable walls with each wall having a reflective surface for reflecting light, wherein each of the pivotable walls comprises at least two states that are not parallel to each other.  
     
     
         22 . The integrator of clam  21 , wherein the walls form a tunnel in which a light beam propagates, and the reflective surfaces of the walls form an interior reflective surface of the tunnel.  
     
     
         23 . The integrator of  claim 21 , wherein the movable walls each have a pivoting axis along which the movable wall can pivot.  
     
     
         24 . The integrator of  claim 21 , wherein the pair of movable walls are positioned opposite to each other.  
     
     
         25 . The integrator of  claim 1 , wherein the pairs of walls form a rectangular cylinder.  
     
     
         26 . The integrator of  claim 25 , wherein the two opposite movable walls are on the top and bottom of the rectangular cylinder.  
     
     
         27 . The integrator of  claim 26 , wherein the rectangular cylinder has an entrance and exit aperture, wherein the entrance and the exit aperture have different aspect ratios.  
     
     
         28 . The integrator of  claim 27 , wherein the entrance has an aspect ratio of 4:3.  
     
     
         29 . The integrator of  claim 27 , wherein the entrance has an aspect ratio of 16:9.  
     
     
         30 . The integrator of  claim 27 , wherein the exit aperture has an aspect ratio of 4:3.  
     
     
         31 . The integrator of  claim 27 , wherein the exit aperture has an aspect ratio of 16:9.  
     
     
         32 . The integrator of  claim 27 , wherein the rectangular cylinder is conjoint wit another rectangular cylinder.  
     
     
         33 . The integrator of  claim 32 , wherein the movable wall has a pivoting axis at a joint of the first and second cylinder.  
     
     
         34 . The integrator of  claim 32 , herein said another rectangular cylinder does not deform around a surface temperature of an arc lamp in operation in a display system employing a spatial light modulator.  
     
     
         35 . The integrator of  claim 27 , further comprising: a light splitter that is disposed within the rectangular cylinder.  
     
     
         36 . The integrator of  claim 21 , wherein the movable walls are operable to displace in parallel.  
     
     
         37 . An illumination system for illuminating a spatial light modulator of a display system, comprising: 
 a light source providing a light beam; and    a light integrator of  claim 1 .    
     
     
         38 . An illumination system for illuminating a spatial light modulator of a display system, comprising: 
 a light source providing a light beam; and    a light integrator of  claim 21 .    
     
     
         39 - 67 . (canceled)